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151 students from 66 nations join NYUAD batch

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has welcomed 151 of the world’s most talented students from 66 countries around the globe to the university’s undergraduate programme as its Class of 2016.

In total, 208 students were admitted from 15,520 applicants, making it one of the most selective higher education programmes in the world. (An additional three students admitted to the Class of 2016 will begin their studies in the fall of 2013.)

The Class of 2016 saw a significant increase in enrolment of UAE nationals, with 17 students, up from nine in the Class of 2015. All Emirati students were awarded the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed NYUAD Scholarship for Exceptional Emirati Students, a newly launched initiative for UAE Nationals who are admitted to NYUAD.

This year’s class, most heavily represented by the US, the UAE, Canada, South Korea and the UK, will join a student body that now represents 89 countries and speaks 86 languages. — Wam

NYUAD’s newest class has demonstrated impressive academic credentials, with test score results comparable to those of the world’s most prestigious universities. NYUAD, like NYU in New York, accepts a number of options that satisfy its testing requirement, in recognition of the international composition of both institutions.

“The impressive diversity and academic record of NYU Abu Dhabi’s third undergraduate class is a clear indication that the concept and ideals of NYU’s global network university is one that resonates strongly with today’s students,” NYU president John Sexton said. “The academic rigor of NYUAD’s liberal arts education, coupled with the intrinsic draw of NYU’s global network, continues to attract to Abu Dhabi some of the brightest young minds from around the world.”

Vice-Chancellor of NYUAD Al Bloom added: “The Class of 2016 joins an extraordinary student body, which in two short years has already begun to make its distinctive mark on the institution, and the world. Our recruitment has been remarkable, consistently attracting students who are not only among the best academically, but who share a passion for learning, a commitment for building community, and a resolve to make their own difference for humanity.”

Of the 15,520 young men and women who applied for admission to NYUAD, 2,454 applicants asked to be considered for the Abu Dhabi campus as their primary choice and 13,035 applied to the campus as their alternate choice. For the first time, this year, applicants to the New York and Abu Dhabi campuses had the option of selecting one campus as their primary choice and the other as their second choice on their application. —